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Introduction

It was not very many years ago that we decided to take up the exotic game of Mah Jongg. It was an instantaneous attraction and love for the game that compelled us to form a group of friends dedicated to playing together every Wednesday (and other days, if possible). Our weekly diversion turned into something we all looked forward to, filled with delicious food, dear friends, lots of laughter, and a growing understanding of the game.

We both have a strong background in art and art history, and so it did not take long for us to be enchanted by the beauty and varied nature of the tiles. Soon we learned of the collectors who had unusual vintage Mah Jongg sets for sale—or as they put it, up for adoption—and we began to collect these extraordinary and visually exquisite sets.

At that moment, our viewpoint changed dramatically as we were no longer playing with typical sets that had recently been manufactured but, instead, were playing with unique tiles, some of which had been manufactured close to a hundred years earlier. We imagined the people who had played with the tiles while they socialized.

It was then we began to realize that there were myriad books explaining how to play Mah Jongg but none existed showcasing the beauty and artistic nature of the different kinds of tiles. The seed of an idea soon grew into a reality, and we began to research the history of the tiles. Our task was difficult since very few records remain about the early days of the game. We were able to collaborate with a few people who are considered experts in the game and history of Mah Jongg. Together we have written a book showcasing the different types of tiles, materials, and boxes, as well as our thoughts about the meanings of the tiles. This has been a true labor of love. It has been filled with learning about many new aspects of the game. We have been able to meet and become friends with people around the world who share our love of Mah Jongg. No matter how its name is written, the game casts a spell.

Ann M. Israel and Gregg Swain, New York, 2014

Known as the Glover set, it was thought to be lost until it was rediscovered and properly identified by Michael Stanwick. This bone and bamboo set, c. 1910, is in the Brooklyn Museum.